and just moments ago, president obama told abc, quote: i'm pretty confident that republicans would not hold middle class taxes hostage to try and protect tax cuts for high income individuals. he says, i don't think they will do that, he says, i remain optimistic. i would like to see a big package but the most important thing we could k. do to make sure taxes don't go up january 1st. i this the the tone is good and he thinks a deal still can get done. we're back with the panel. on michelle abounds, a.b. >> well, white house they hold the cards in this tax rate debate on the republican side although the house speaker always comes off, i think as infinitely reasonable in his presentations, it's getting pretty frustrating. the feeling in the back room and in these discussions between the speaker and the president is as the president indicated about his optimism, yes, the republicans are going to bend on revenue or rates. probably rates. but they are not going to december 11th. to admit it now they would have to have something in exchange. so when the president says show us your entitlement